And then we were two (Tony stark's daughter fic)

Step up

The flight back was uneventful and nearly silent. Paramedics had checked Addy, as well as the rest of them, over at the track. She was fine, just scrapes and bruises, but the girl had sobbed herself to sleep, the terror from the events of the day proving overwhelming.

As soon as they'd landed Stark had handed her off, literally as he'd been carrying the sleepy child from the plane, to Happy. "She's not allowed at the party, got it Happy? Look after her k?" Before Happy could protest stark held his hand up to silence him, "Yes I know, my head of security, well secure the kid."

With no other options Happy had taken her home with him. They sat in silence, opposite sides of his worn leather couch. "So, uh, your dad's parties usually drag on. May as well get ready for bed." He looked around uncertainly at his home, "I haven't got another bed, but couch is all yours kiddo."

"Thanks Happy," Addy whispered before heading to the bathroom to change. When she returned the couch had been layered with three knitted throw blankets and two pillows. Happy seemed to have vanished. "Status little girl, frightening adult men into hiding since her creation." She mumbled in amused annoyance.

Addy glanced curiously around the small living area. To the left was a galley kitchen, a seemingly unused range stationed across from a stainless steel sink, ancient looking beige refrigerator in the far corner. The only items that appeared to receive actual use being the toaster and coffee maker. Three empty coffee mugs sat waiting to be washed in the sink and half a pot of coffee remained in the pot. Between the two main rooms stood a dark hallway, two doors on opposite sides leading off to the home's remaining two rooms, a bathroom and bedroom presumably.

Addy was used to silence, her mother had worked odd hours leaving the girl to her own devices more often than not. She wondered on tiptoe into the kitchen, rifling through cupboards until she'd located the cups. A cursory scan of the fridge turned up nothing of interest, the pantry, however, was filled with snacks.

The girl settled happily onto the couch with her drink and snacks. Her borrowed blanket, a soft red plaid number, wrapped around her like a hooded cape. She scrolled disinterestedly through channels, nighttime television always disappointing as it is. She almost missed it completely, her hand hurried to her elbow in the large bag of potato chips. Addy stared open mouthed, the snacks falling to the floor in her shock. "Happy?!"

A thud followed by a muffled string of curses and pounding footsteps alerted Addy of the man's approach. He stood looking tired and jumpy in the hallway, his gun held upward and ready.

Addy stared wide eyed at her father's disheveled head of security, "wow Happy, overreact much?"

The man sighed, grumbling under his breath as he lay his gun on the counter, running a hand through his short hair. "Addy it's," he paused squinting his eyes at the glowing green numbers displayed on the microwave, "Addy! It's 2:00 a.m.! Why're you up?"

Addy had the good sense to look sheepish before pointing towards the television. "Tony's made the news..."

Happy collapsed next to the girl with a muffled curse. "Don't repeat that," he ordered quickly.

Addy held up her hands as if to say, don't look at me. "Sooooo, are you heading over there?"

He seemed torn, glancing back and forth between the mayhem playing out on the television and the girl sitting quietly curled on his couch. He'd nearly convinced himself to just take her along when Tony roared at the cameras, Addy's flinch changing his plans. "No kiddo, we're staying put. Hopefully Rhodey and Miss Pots can handle it. You're my responsibility for tonight." He reached around removing the remote from where she'd placed it on the arm of the couch, "no more news k? Honestly what normal kid wants to watch that sh-crap anyway? Bed, got it?"